Spring-draft device



J. E. NOR WOOD; SPRING DRAFT DEVICE.

(No Model.)

No. 498,684. Patented May 30, 1893.

| INVENTDR- T 37 WITNESSES! UNITE STATES PATENT EETQE.

JOHN E. NORWOOD, OF SYKESVILLE, MARYLAND.

SPRING-DRAFT DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,684, dated May 30, 1893.

Application filed August 12, 1892. Serial No. 442,889- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN E. NoRwooD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sykesville, in the county of Carroll and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Shafts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved vehicle-shaft constructed for attachment of the harness without the use of traces, and with means for cushioning the strain in pulling and backing.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a top-view of my improved shaft; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a cross-section on line 33 of Fig. 1,with the parts shown on an enlarged scale; Fig, 4, a side view of the shaft on the same scale as Fig. 3,and with the conmeeting-piece for the harness removed. Figs. 5and 6 show sectional views of the lock in its two conditions, closed and open. Fig. 7 shows an inner side and an edge View of the connecting-piece for the harness.

The wooden shaft, A, is cut off short and a metal tube, B, completes the shaft and fits on the end of the wood-shaft like a sleeve and is strongly secured to it in any suitable manner. The outer end of the said tubular portion is closed over solidly as at, a, and may be covered by an ornamental cap, I). A pair of spiral springs, O, are in the tube, B, and bear against the oppositeends of the same,a bearing-piece, c, of metal being placed over the end of the wood-shaft for the spring to come against. A slide-block, D, has position in the bore of the tube between the two springs, O, which bear against its two ends, and said block has a projection, d, to abut'the bearingpiece, 0, and limit the rearward movement of the block. The tube has a longitudinal slot, e, in one side and a slide-way, f, which extends on both sides of said slot a portion of the length of the same. The slide-block, D, has

a rectangular opening, g, to register with said slot, and a lock-casing or box, E, fits said slide-way and has a stud, F, which engages through the slot in the tube and 111 the opening in the slide-block (see Fig. 3).

A frame, G, for attachment of the harness has a short shank, I, and a flat slide-head, J, on the end thereof and arranged to engage a slide-way in the casing, E. Said slide-head has shoulders, g, on opposite sides near the one end.

' A look for holding the slide-head in its slideway is contained within the case, E, and in the present instance comprises a latchm, for engaging a shoulder, g, of the slide-head, and pivoted at the middle, said latch having an arm, 'n', projecting into the slide-way of the said head. A sliding bolt, p, is arranged to hold the latch in engagement with the slidehead shoulder, and upon withdrawing the bolt the latch will be pushed out of the path of the slide-head by a draft upon the latter. 'In this construction the bolt has a square corner,

g, which looks behind a shoulder on the latch and is thereby prevented from pushing the latter out again, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Upon sliding in the head, J, it strikes the projecting arm, 'n', and thereby throws the latch, 71., out behind the shoulder, g, of the slide-head, whereupon the bolt, p,springs behind thelatch and holds it as before. The bolt, 1), has a stem with a finger-piece, s, tofacilitate withdrawing it, and also an eye for attachment of a connection which may extend to the vehicle. This form of releasing lock has been illustrated in my application, Serial No. 426,883, filed March 29, 1892, and is there claimed.

It will be observed that the cushion-parts are all concealed and the ordinary appearance of a shaft is presented. It will be obvious the springs, O, serve to cushion the strain in pulling and backing, and also ease the horses shoulders in traveling.

The parts are fitted together by first inserting a spiral spring, O,in the tube, 13, then inserting the slide-block, D, and engaging the stud of the casing, E, in the opening in said slide-block and sliding said casing into its slide-way, f. The other spring, 0, is then inserted in the tube and the latter fitted to the wood-shaft. The projection d, of the slideblock, D,abutting the end of the tube, B, prevents the lock-case from sliding rearwardly out of the slide-way, f.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a tubular vehicleshaft; springs therein; a slide-piece in said shaft between said springs and coacting therewith; and suitable connections between said slide-piece and the harness.

2. The combination of a tubular vehicleshaft having a slot and a slide-way on one side; springs in said shaft; a slide-piece in the shaft; an exterior slide-piece fitting theslide-way on the tubular shaft-and having connection with said first-named slide-piece; and means of connection between said exterior slide-piece and the harness substantially as described.

3. The combination of a tubular vehicleshaft having a slot and a slide-way on one side; springs in said shaft; a slide-piece between said springs and having a projection to abut the end of the tubular shaft; an'exterior slide-piece fitting the slide-way on the tube and having connection with said firstnamed slide-piece; and means of connection between said exterior slide-piece and the harness.

4. The combination of a tiibnlar vehicleshaft having a slot and a slide-way on one side; springs in said shaft; a slide-piece between said springs and having an opening; an exterior slide-piece fitting the slide-way on the tube and having a stud which engages the opening in the first-named slide-piece; and means of connection between said exterior slide-piece and the harness.

5. The combination of a tubular vehicle shaft having a slot and a slide-way on one side; springs in said shaft; a slide-piece between said springs; an exterior slide-piece fitting the slide-way on the tube and having connection with said first-named slide-piece, and comprising a casing; a connecting-piece for the harness having a slide-head fitting a slide-way on said exterior slide-piece; and a lock in said casing to engage the said slidehead of the said harness connecting-piece.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. NORWOOD.

Witnesses:

F. PARKER DAvis, J NO. '1. MADDOX. 

